Written Answers Nos. 116-134
116. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 496 of 4 November 2025, the time period in which the circa 135,000 customers were potentially provided motor finance by car dealers using discretionary commission arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64034/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 496 of 4 November 2025, to provide the names of the eight firms engaged in providing discretionary commission arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64035/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.
The Central Bank of Ireland has advised that, further to Parliamentary Question No. 496 of 4 November 2025, the figure of 135,000 refers to customers with active hire purchase agreements at the point in time the review was conducted in 2024.
In June 2024 the Central Bank wrote to all regulated firms providing hire purchase motor finance who may have used discretionary commission arrangements in relation to such finance arranged through credit intermediaries instructing them to cease the practice by end-July 2024.
The Central Bank has advised that it took this action following a review of this practice in the motor finance hire purchase via credit intermediaries. The Central Bank concluded that the incentive these arrangements created was not consistent with market outcomes that the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code seeks to achieve.
In relation to the request for the names of the eight firms identified in the Central Bank’s review as having used discretionary commission arrangements, the Central Bank has advised that it is not in a position to provide the names of the firms as this is information obtained through supervision and is subject to supervisory confidentiality obligations.
118. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total Irish receipts or projected receipts from the EU Multiannual Financial Framework in the years 2019 to 2027, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64049/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department collects data on Ireland’s EU Budget receipts, from relevant Government Departments, for the previous year on an annual basis for publication in the EU Transactions Reports and up until the year 2021 in the Department of Finance Budgetary Statistics. This operational data may be subject to revision and any updates which may be required are reflected in subsequent publication releases.
This table sets out Ireland’s EU budget receipts as reported by relevant Government Departments in this process, from 2019-2023, the latest year for which data is available. My Department is currently collecting the data on receipts for 2024, and this information will be published in the coming months. These figures include, but are not limited to, such programmes as the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund, the European Fund for Regional Development, and Erasmus+. They do not include funds directly managed by the European Commission; as such the figures do not provide the full picture of Ireland’s receipts from the EU budget.
.
Table 1: Ireland’s EU budget receipts, 2019-2023
|
Year |
Receipts from EU Budget € billion |
|
2019 |
1.8 |
|
2020 |
1.9 |
|
2021 |
2.4 |
|
2022 |
2.0 |
|
2023 |
1.7 |
The European Commission also publishes data on Member States’ transactions with the EU, of which the most recently available data is 2024. These figures can differ from those collected by Government Departments, reflecting differences in accounting practices and time periods.
In relation to future years, my Department does not forecast the precise levels of EU budget receipts Ireland is expected to draw down in a given future year. These figures are contingent on a number of factors, such as the status and speed of project implementation, and when individual Departments submit payment requests to the European Commission.
119. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total Irish contribution or projected contribution to the EU Multiannual Financial Framework in the years 2019 to 2027, by year; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64050/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe annual contribution of Ireland to the EU Budget from 2019 to 2024 is outlined in Table 1 below:
Table 1: EU Budget payments 2019-2024
|
Year |
Payments to EU Budget € billion |
|
2019 |
2.4 |
|
2020 |
2.6 |
|
2021 |
3.5 |
|
2022 |
3.6 |
|
2023 |
3.7 |
|
2024 |
3.4 |
With regard to projected contributions, my Department’s most recent forecast was prepared for Budget 2026, for the remaining years of the current Multiannual Financial Framework period, which ends in 2027. My officials will continue to work on revising these forecasts as the MFF period progresses. The projected contributions for the remaining three years are as follows:
Table 2: EU Budget payment forecast 2025-2027
|
Forecast Gross Payments to EU Budget |
2025 (€ billion) |
2026(€ billion) |
2027(€billion) |
|
|
Total |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.9 |
|
Based on my Department’s forecasts, Ireland’s contributions to the EU budget will continue to grow over the remainder of the MFF period. This is directly linked to several factors, including in particular the overall level of payments in the EU budget, which Member States must finance, and Ireland’s economic performance, which drives Ireland’s share of the overall budget. A significant proportion of how Member States finance the EU budget is according to relative Gross National Income (GNI).
120. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 392 of 12 November 2025, if research has been carried out into the creation of an upper limit cap on the cost of local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64118/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 392 of 12 November 2025, if his Department has carried out estimates on the cost to the Exchequer of implementing an upper limit cap on the cost of local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64119/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra122. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 392 of 12 November 2025, his views on the merits of putting in place an upper limit cap on the cost of local property tax to avoid putting undue financial burden on families and individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64120/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 121 and 122 together.
Local Property Tax (LPT) was legislated for in 2012 in the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012. The design of LPT was considered by an interdepartmental group chaired by Dr. Don Thornhill. In 2015, Dr. Thornhill also produced a review of the operation of the LPT. The tax was subject to another review in 2019 by an interdepartmental group chaired by the Department of Finance.
The potential impact of an upper limit cap on the cost of LPT, and an estimated cost to the Exchequer of this, was not examined as part of these reports.
The 2019 report noted that when viewed as a capital tax, property tax can be considered progressive since capital tends to be more heavily concentrated in the hands of higher income earners. If an upper limit cap on LPT were to be introduced, it would likely mean that many higher income earners would benefit from such a proposal. An upper limit cap on LPT would also lead to distortions resulting from a disconnection between property values and LPT liabilities. This would raise concerns regarding the equity and fairness of LPT.
Earlier this year, officials in Revenue’s Statistics Branch conducted an extensive modelling and valuation exercise in respect of LPT liable properties for the valuation period 2026-2030. A paper outlining the process was published in September and is available on Revenue’s website: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/research/property-valuation-technical-paper-2026.pdf
This paper estimated that properties in band 10 or higher – properties with a valuation of at least €1,050,000 – account for approximately 2% of all properties liable for LPT and 13% of the total projected yield from LPT. In that context, introducing an upper limit cap on LPT could lead to a significant reduction in the revenue raised to pay for local services.
As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 392 of 12 November 2025, there are provisions in place to support people who have difficulty in meeting their LPT liabilities, including a wide range of flexible payment options and a system of deferrals for those who meet certain criteria regarding income.
The full range of payment options, which includes phased arrangements, are available to property owners on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/property/local-property-tax/paying-your-lpt/index.aspx.
The current system of supports allows for a tax base that is broad an equitable while also providing help for households that need assistance. Introducing an upper limit cap on the cost of LPT could, in my view, be regressive, create distortions and reduce the level of revenue raised to pay for local services.
For these reasons, I do not intend to introduce an upper limit cap on the cost of LPT at this time.
123. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if there are plans to review the National Payments Strategy with a view to ensuring that all Government agencies including the NDLS accept cash payments for their services on the premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64212/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October 2024, the then Minister of Finance, Jack Chambers TD, published a new National Payments Strategy (NPS). The strategy has informed the vision for the future development of the Irish retail payments system over the period to 2030.
A wide public consultation process was held as part of the research and development of the NPS. The Strategy examined a number of issues, including the acceptance of cash and considered if legislation should be introduced to require certain sectors or sub-sectors to accept or facilitate the acceptance of cash. By extension, it was also considered whether it should be policy of the Government to require the public service to accept or facilitate the acceptance of cash.
The Strategy is clear that there is a need to ensure that cash can be accepted as a means of payment, where appropriate. The NPS outlines that all Government departments and bodies under their aegis, accept electronic payments and cash payments or facilitate cash payments. Government departments and bodies under the aegis will be required to confirm compliance in their annual reports from 2026 onwards.
At the same time, in the development of the NPS, it was important to be mindful of European Commission initiatives on this topic. In June of 2023, the European Commission published a proposal for a Regulation on Legal Tender to look at access to, and acceptance of, cash across Member States. The Regulation will enshrine the principal of mandatory acceptance in the EU. The proposal is progressing at EU Council level, with the Danish Presidency indicating that it intends to reach a General Approach during its term.
In relation to NDLS centres, cash is not accepted directly in NDLS centres, however in line with the NPS, the NDLS will facilitate cash payments using a third party. Consumers wishing to pay for NDLS services in cash, can go to any retail outlet that displays the ‘Payzone’ sign.
At the retailer, consumers can purchase a Payzone voucher using their cash and bring the Payzone voucher to a NDLS centre in order to obtain their services.
124. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer of extending the VAT cut on apartment sales to forward-funding deals; the estimated number of apartments this will affect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64391/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department does not have data on how many apartments are or may in the future be provided for under various funding or contractual arrangements.
The estimates for this measure reflects a very prudent approach, with the assumption made that all qualifying apartments would be covered by the 9% rate. As such there is no additional cost to the exchequer arising from this extension. As data on actual sales of apartments is received the estimates may be revised. Officials will continue to monitor the relevant data as it becomes available.
125. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to confirm that the OPW will prioritise the Seapoint Bridge and surrounding flooding zone in Termonfeckin, County Louth for attention in their list of projects for minor flood mitigation works; the timescale for those works to complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64059/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocalised flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and Louth County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. The Council may apply to the OPW for funding for flood mitigation works under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This scheme was introduced by the OPW on an administrative, non-statutory basis in 2009. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works, or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme are currently under review, and any application under the scheme will be considered against revised criteria. The OPW expect to advise Local Authorities of the revised criteria for the Scheme in the coming weeks.
The OPW does not currently have any application under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for the location referenced in this question. Since 2009, the OPW has approved funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme of circa €1.9 million to County Louth for some 26 projects.
The Scheme Viability Reviews (SVRs) for Annagassan and Termonfeckin have been completed. As the SVRs for these areas concluded that potentially viable Flood Relief Schemes have been identified, these areas will be brought forward as Flood Relief Projects in due course, through the second tranche of schemes. The OPW will discuss with Louth County Council the optimal means for progressing Flood Relief in these areas.
126. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress to date of the Nenagh flood relief scheme; when this project will proceed to the next stage; the estimate budget for this scheme, if yet determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64208/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans identified some 150 additional flood relief schemes to protect at risk communities, including Nenagh.
Tipperary County Council are leading the delivery of this scheme. The scope and complexity of the flood risk in Nenagh, to protect some 60 properties, has evolved and the Council in 2023 engaged with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to assist with the technical assessment required.
The OPW has recently completed preliminary site surveys and a Steering Group has been established to oversee delivery of the Nenagh Flood Relief Scheme.
Tender documents for the procurement of engineering and environmental consultants to progress the design of the flood relief scheme for Nenagh are currently being prepared.
It is expected that the tender documents will issue in Q1 2026. The appointment of consultants will inform the programme for the delivery of this flood relief scheme.
127. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of WTE staff, by grade, employed by the OPW that are working at each heritage site under the remit of OPW, as of 12 November 2025, in tabular form. [64298/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease see attached, as requested, two tables listing OPW staff numbers (WTE), by grade, employed at OPW Heritage sites.
The first table notes the number of State Industrial staff (777.22 WTE) working at each heritage site as at 12 November 2025. Included are staff working at the 6 National Monuments depots. These staff, while assigned to a National Monuments depot, spend their time working at various heritage sites in their area performing upkeep and maintenance as per business needs.
The second table notes the number of Established Civil Servants (89.3 WTE) working at each heritage site as at 12 November 2025. The majority of these staff (66 WTE) are based at Dublin Castle. Established Civil Servants based at Dublin Castle work under the Heritage remit but are not involved in the day to day operations of Dublin Castle
128. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will give detailed and urgent consideration to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of recent additional costs on a sector that provides very significant employment throughout the country and is a critical component of the overall national economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64174/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that the cost of doing business has been a challenge for firms in recent years, including in the transport sector, due to wider inflationary pressures – particularly energy – and Government-mandated improvements to working conditions. However, costs for firms, as measured by the CSO’s Wholesale Price Index, are now easing and were down 2.6% in the 12 months to September 2025.
Irish enterprises have faced a succession of shocks in recent years, including Brexit, COVID-19, the Russian war in Ukraine, supply-chain disruptions, the energy-cost crisis, inflation, wage pressures, and rising interest rates. While these factors drove significant cost increases, many have now begun to ease, as reflected in developments in price indices.
To address cost pressures and strengthen competitiveness, the Government has published the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity and established the Cost of Business Advisory Forum, both Programme for Government commitments. The Action Plan focuses on regulatory reform, reducing the cost burden on firms, improving competition, and addressing energy affordability. The Cost of Business Advisory Forum brings together representatives from across sectors to consider drivers of business costs and potential mitigation measures. Its second meeting in July focused on energy costs, with a report to Government due in Q1 2026.
Budget 2026 provides a pro-enterprise package of €9.4 billion (€8.1 billion in spending and €1.3 billion in tax measures). Approximately €531 million of the Budget package – or 40% of the tax package – is dedicated to enterprise and SME supports, with a full-year cost of around €1.1 billion. Key measures include:
• Raising the R&D Tax Credit to 35%, inclusion of R&D employee emoluments, and increasing the first-year payment threshold to €87,500.
• Increasing the CGT Revised Entrepreneur Relief lifetime limit from €1 million to €1.5 million.
• Increasing the Employer PRSI threshold to ensure employers of minimum-wage full-time workers remain on the lower rate.
• Extending KEEP to 31 December 2028.
The Government has also acted to support firms adjusting to improvements in working conditions. It has paused the expansion of Statutory Sick Leave at five days and extended the introduction of the Living Wage to 2029. Further cost-mitigation measures include:
• Increasing the employer PRSI threshold from €441 to €496.
• Doubling the Innovation Grant Scheme to €10,000.
• Increasing the Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme to €10,000 while reducing the business contribution rate to 25%.
• Implementing an enhanced SME Test.
On tax issues specifically, I am informed by the Minister for Finance that all transport fuels are subject to excise duty in the form of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT), and to Value-Added Tax (VAT).
In relation to VAT, the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law is obliged to comply. In general, the EU VAT Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate, unless they fall within categories of goods and services specified in the Directive, in respect of which Member States may apply a lower rate or exempt from VAT. Motor fuels, such as petrol and auto-diesel, are not included in the categories of goods and services on which the EU Directive allows a lower rate of VAT or an exemption to be applied, and so they are liable to VAT at the standard rate, currently 23%.
Petrol and auto-diesel are treated differently under Irish VAT law regarding VAT recovery entitlements of VAT registered taxpayers. VAT registered businesses are entitled to recover the cost of VAT on the purchase of diesel, used in the course of their business, as is the case with most business costs. However, the VAT Consolidation Act provides that VAT on petrol is not recoverable, including by businesses registered for VAT, except where the petrol is purchased as stock-in-trade of the business.
In relation to MOT, rates comprise a non-carbon and a carbon component. The carbon component, or carbon tax, is proportional to the fuel’s carbon dioxide emissions so higher emitting fuels, such as auto-diesel, have higher carbon tax rates. Auto-diesel is the predominant fuel in the transport sector and in November 2021 the applicable MOT rate was €535.46 per 1,000 litres. The current rate of €615.76 per 1,000 litres reflects an increase of €80.30 per 1,000 litres to the carbon component. This increase has been implemented in four equal amounts each October since 2021 under the 10-year carbon tax trajectory. Current and historical MOT rates for all fuel types are published on Revenue’s website.
The Diesel Rebate Scheme (DRS) is a State aid which provides a partial rebate of MOT to qualifying road haulage and bus transport operators, when the average retail price of auto-diesel exceeds €1.00 per litre excluding VAT. The DRS operates on a sliding scale basis, whereby the repayment rate increases gradually as the retail price increases, up to a maximum repayment rate of 7.5 cents per litre. The DRS repayment rate has been at the maximum level for almost four years. This is in additional to VAT registered businesses’ ability to deduct the VAT charged on the purchase of business inputs, such as auto diesel or HVO.
To incentivise the uptake of more sustainable and renewable fuels, biofuels are relieved of the carbon component of MOT and are not impacted by annual carbon tax increases. As a result, the MOT rate differential between biofuels and fossil fuels will continue to widen as the 10-year carbon tax trajectory up to 2030 is implemented. Information on effective MOT rates on biofuels compared with rates on fossil fuels, such as auto-diesel, is published on Revenue’s website.
Funding and schemes are available for the haulage sector to support the transition to Zero Emission operations. The Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicle (‘ZEHDV’) Purchase Grant Scheme supports and promotes the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty sector to transition to Zero Emission vehicles. The Scheme supports the purchase of new large commercial vehicles by bridging some of the price difference between conventional heavy-duty vehicles and Zero Emission vehicles, which offer environmental benefits.
I am further informed by the Minister for Finance that policy with regard to Mineral Oil Tax is kept under review as part of the Tax Strategy Group and Budgetary cycle. Any industry proposals will be considered as part of this process.
129. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide details of the number of companies who received an Enterprise Ireland digital marketing capability grant in 2024; the total amount of grant funding provided; and the number of companies who received other non-financial digital marketing capability support in 2024. [64052/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Digital Marketing Capability Grant is designed to help client companies develop in-house digital marketing stills and implement export focused strategies.
30 companies received grant funding under the scheme in 2024, totalling €741K.
Enterprise Ireland does not provide any non-financial support under this scheme; it is a specific programme to allow companies bring in the expertise required in regard to digital marketing.
130. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for a full update on the IDA business building, Dublin Road, Carlow; the number of site visits that have taken place in the past 12 months; and the efforts made by the IDA to secure a permanent tenant at the site. [64125/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegional Development is a key focus of our Programme for Government and is central to the work of my Department and our enterprise development agencies. In this regard, IDA Ireland’s strategy ‘Adapt Intelligently, 2025 – 2029’ seeks to build on IDA’s successes to date and to support continued long-term investment through the transformation of the existing client base across Ireland and leveraging new opportunities and sectors.
Over the current strategy period, IDA is aiming to secure 550 of a total 1000 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects outside Dublin - 55% of all planned investments, with ambitious targets for the investments every region in Ireland, including 60 in the South-East region.
The South-East has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services, Engineering & Industrial Technologies, which are complemented by research centres that help win new business and assist existing client companies with transformation. The FDI performance in the region has been strong over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 15%.
IDA’s continued positive intervention in terms of delivering and maintaining a portfolio of advanced property solutions, to complement private sector provision, to support investments on a regional basis is paramount. A robust property and infrastructure ecosystem can be the key differentiator in winning FDI projects. In that regard, IDA continues to actively manage its property portfolio to ensure the availability of suitable sites for enterprise development. The IDA Regional Property Programme ensures the supply of land, buildings and essential infrastructure in regional locations as required by current and prospective clients of IDA as well as those of Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices.
IDA Ireland continually engages with key stakeholders such as infrastructure, service providers and Local Authorities, including Carlow County Council and other regional stakeholders to ensure the identification of lands that are suitable for client investment in the long term. IDA also works closely with the private sector in the South East region in marketing of appropriate and cost-effective property solutions that meet the needs of its client companies.
The IDA made a significant investment in Carlow during their last strategy, 2021-2024, with the completion of an Advanced Business Solution (ABS) on the IDA Carlow Business Park which is actively being marketed as a property solution to FDI and EI clients. While there was one site visit to the Carlow ABS by a client company in the last twelve months, there have been numerous enquiries made, and several visits to the building have taken place as part of marketing efforts. Full details of the Carlow ABS are included in IDA’s digital marketing materials shared with IDA’s overseas colleagues and client companies.
There continues to be good interest in companies visiting Carlow. There has been a consistent increase in visits since 2022. Details of site visits to Carlow up to the end of September 2025 are shown in the table below:
|
Carlow |
To end Q3 2025 |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
|
Site Visits |
3 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
I should point out that site visits are one measure only of a company’s interest in a particular location and may not necessarily be a true measure of the overall level of foreign direct investment (FDI) activity in a region or county. For example, almost 70% of FDI won by IDA Ireland comes from its existing client base, rather than new companies and potential clients usually visit more than one county and may return to a location more than once.
With a clear focus on regional development, a strong pipeline of investment, and collaborative local partnerships, IDA Ireland is positioning Carlow and the wider the South-East Region as a competitive and attractive destination for global investors, however, ultimately, individual companies determine where to locate their investments rather than the IDA.
131. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Office grants awarded to businesses in Kildare north in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64191/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland have advised that 2025 figures for Kildare will not be available until the beginning of 2026. However, in 2024 payments to Enterprise Ireland clients totalled over €4.3m; this included €4.1 million in non-infrastructural payments and over €200K in infrastructural payments.
Enterprise Ireland launched its new strategy “Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally (2025–2029)” earlier this year. This strategy prioritises regional enterprise development, innovation, and sustainability and building the capability of Irish companies to grow in world markets. Over 60 percent of all EI client company employment is outside Dublin. As of 2024, there were 9,260 employed in EI client companies based in Kildare.
Enterprise Ireland is an active member of the Mid-East Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Group with partners including the Local Authorities. The plan includes actions across the three Mid East counties (Kildare, Wicklow, and Meath).
With regard to Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), at present only provisional figures for 2025 are available. To date, 70 projects have been approved for Kildare totalling €848,423.81.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) located in the 31 Local Authorities, are a key partner for small businesses in Ireland, helping them to identify and tackle their controllable costs. The LEO in County Kildare is actively engaged with their local business community, working to promote a suite of supports designed to assist small businesses to reduce their costs and become more productive and more competitive.
132. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of positions created and retained in Kildare north through IDA-supported companies in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64192/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegional Development is a key focus of our Programme for Government and is central to the work of my Department and our enterprise development agencies. In this regard, regional development is one of four key strategic objectives of the IDA 2025–2029 strategy, "Adapt Intelligently" with a commitment to secure 550 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects outside Dublin - 55% of all planned investments. Additionally, the overarching goal is to create 75,000 new jobs nationwide and generate a projected €250 billion in economic impact with the IDA having set ambitious targets for every region in Ireland.
The IDA Mid-East Region comprises counties Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow. The Mid-East has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. It has also won significant investment in the Food and the Film sub-sectors.
The Annual Employment Survey (AES) is completed towards the end of the year, consequently 2025 employment figures will not be available until January 2026. The 2024 AES showed there are 121 IDA client companies in the region, employing 20,470 people, with 45 of these in Co. Kildare employing 10,617 people. While 353 new jobs were created in Co. Kildare in 2024, there were 1,704 job losses with a net employment contraction in IDA client employment in the county of 1,351 in 2024. However, the FDI performance in the region has been positive over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 10%.
I can assure the Deputy that the IDA continues to do its utmost to promote all locations in Ireland, including Kildare, with the many advantages it has, but must stress that, ultimately, individual investors decide which counties to visit, and where to locate their investments. To this end, the IDA will continue to ensure Kildare is promoted, building on the success it has enjoyed to date as a successful location for IDA client companies.
133. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports that will be made available to the one hundred employees who are due to lose their jobs in 2028 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64243/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, last month Merck made the decision to wind down operations at its Arklow facility by the end of 2028 following a strategic portfolio product review. Other operations in Ireland are unaffected.
While on a recent visit to Wexford and Wicklow, I visited the Arklow site and met with local staff representatives. I can assure the Deputy that the State’s agencies will provide every support available to those affected by this decision, and all efforts will be made to explore options for the future use of the site.
Indeed, my foremost concern is for the potentially impacted employees and their families during this uncertain time. To this end, IDA Ireland has activated internal processes for responding to the potential and actual job loss situation with this client company.
IDA Ireland is engaged with the company both at a site level in Arklow and at their German HQ in order to achieve the best outcome for the site. IDA will be exploring all options with the company.
IDA Ireland must also be respectful of any consultation process underway by the company with its employees and/or representatives. In the meantime, all stakeholders are conscious that the company continues to operate with a significant workforce.
In the event of job losses, the established protocols sees the IDA partnering with other support agencies at a local level to implement the Job Loss Protocol. IDA provides a coordinated response by relevant Government Departments and Agencies at a local level to support impacted employees in the event of a significant job loss announcement. However, this work may not formally commence until after the staff consultation period has been concluded. The types of supports/initiatives provided by local agencies can include the following:
• Outplacement employment support services and potential training opportunities may be provided/facilitated by the company and/or other providers (ETBs/Skillnet, etc..) to support impacted employees.
• Provision of a detailed skills profile for the employees on the site; and when individuals will be available, which can be shared with other potential employers.
• Recruitment opportunities through identification and connection with other employers who may be hiring across the locality and wider region.
• Marketing of the property solution, when appropriate through agents appointed by the company, and by IDA Ireland through its global office network.
• Information sessions by the Department of Social Protection's Intreo Office to impacted employees on social welfare services and employment support services to support impacted employees’ transition to new employment opportunities.
• Identification and provision of training and further education opportunities for employees e.g. ETBs; Skillnet; Universities.
• Exploring opportunities to start your own business through LEO’s and Enterprise Ireland.
134. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether prefabs are being added to a school (details supplied) to facilitate the lack of school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64057/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State owned property in Castleblaney has been repurposed to a high standard and this has facilitated the establishment of Monaghan Community Special School for the 2025/26 school year. The property provides a good location for developing the school.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs.
My Department and the NCSE monitors the need for additional special class and special school capacity very closely and will continue to monitor the situation in County Monaghan and engage with the school patron, Cavan and Monaghan ETB in this regard.
